A Toast to the Sparkling Wine Celebrating Marriage Equality

During a week when attention was focused on the Supreme Court considering the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and Facebook profile pics and Twitter avatars showed pink-on-pink equal signs in support of marriage equality for all, it seems especially fitting to share some sparkling good news:

Égalité, the first-ever wine created in support of equality for gay Americans, has arrived in Washington, making it the first state on the West Coast to carry the fast-growing French bubbly brand.

“With Washington’s recent passage of same-sex marriage legislation, Égalité recognizes the hard-earned progress that has been made in pursuit of Equality,” Darren Restivo, one of the principals of Biagio Cru & Estate Wines, the creator and importer of Égalité said in a news release.

The name Égalité, which is French for “Equality,” is both a reflection of the wine’s origin and a celebration of Equality for the LGBTQ community in the United States and around the world. A Crémant from the Burgundy region of France, Égalité is made in a traditional style similar to the country's fine Champagnes.

Michael Cawdrey of Seattle’s Fremont Wine, the first retailer in Washington to offer Égalité said: “We’re proud to be the first in the state to carry a wine that celebrates all of the progress the LGBT community has made and raises awareness for important causes and organizations.”

In celebration of its launch, Égalité has made a contribution of $1,000 each to GLSEN, The Trevor Project, The Ali Forney Center, Equality Maine and Center on Halsted. Additionally, for every bottle of Égalité sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to organizations dedicated to helping LGBTQ youth face life's challenges. Followers of Égalité on Twitter and fans on Facebook will have the opportunity to suggest organizations that they would like to see the proceeds benefit.